Photos by Vickie Treadway
I would normally just keep this blog for writing, but when something happens, sometimes we just have to break our own rules.
My husband Russ and I were at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Truck races and for the Indy race with our friends Diane and Lynn. We planned this trip for months and really looked forward to being there. We had no idea of the tragedy that would take place on Sunday when the Indy race would take place and Dan Wheldon's life would end.
As a spectator and not being around the racing community in person too many times in our lives, we were glad to get passes for the garage and the pit area. Russ and Lynn of course recognized, some of the television personalities in the racing community and pointed them out to me and Diane. We were all excited about being able to go where we wanted with our passes. We were able to get up close to see the awesome race trucks and Indy cars we had only seen on television as they practiced and got their vehicles ready for qualifying. Seeing the pit crews in action as they worked on the trucks and Indy cars was cool to say the least. We were lucky enough to see many drivers from a distance, but never close enough to talk too. Which I personally don't mind, because they have enough to deal without people like us getting in the way. They come out at different times anyway just to sign autographs for their fans. You just have to be at the right place at the right time.
There was a driver walking to the media center from the pits and he was surrounded by what looked like security and a bunch of fans were trying to get close enough to get autographs from him as he stopped and talked to a few people along the way. He looked happy, and came across like he was enjoying the day and never once looked irritated as people gave him shirts, hats and other things for him to sign. I just stood back and watched the crowd and shot a bunch of photos of him and and the people. I have to admit, at the time I had no idea it was Dan Wheldon. It was later as I went through my photo's that I realized who he was.
We had reserved seating in the grandstands and the place was crowded with people. Again, I was taking photo's and felt the exhilarating feeling one gets as the national anthem was sung and the Military planes shot passed us in the sky in all of their glory signifying it was time to start the race. That part always gives me the chills, in a good way.
The Indy race started and was going very well for twelve laps. It was the thirteenth lap and I was taking photos once again and suddenly saw a wreck begin in the middle of turn one. For a split second I lowered my camera seeing flames and debris flying everywhere. I quickly focused my camera and started shooting everything I could as flames shot skyward. Twisted metal and broken cars flew in the air and skidded out of control on fire. I learned a little later that fourteen cars had been taken out. Everyone jumped up out of their seats with sounds of horror as they witnessed the worst wreck to date at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
All I could do is stand there, I felt helpless knowing there was nothing I could do, as the professionals were already racing to the horrific carnage that was all over the track on turns one and two. I looked at the people around me and all of them had the same look of concern as I knew I had. A hush fell over the crowd. It was eerie. We watched as a few drivers had exited their cars and were trying to help other drivers get out of the burning cars and then rushed to help someone who had flipped upside down. The ambulance made it down to there to where he was needed and we saw the life flight helicopter starting up it's engines as the propellers rotated in wait for the arrival of who ever they were going to take.
Every-time the announcer spoke, everyone in the crowd got extra quiet as they tried to catch every word that was being spoken. We were all concerned about the safety of the drivers and as we heard that a driver had walked away, or was being checked out, there was applause from the crowd and a prayer of thanks. When we heard that Dan Wheldon had been hurt and was the one they were going to life flight to the hospital, everyone made sounds of concern that he'd be alright.
From the stands we could see the emergency vehicle hurry to the medical building on the infield where the helicopter was we could see him being brought into the building. A few minutes later he was being wheeled out to the helicopter and was then flown away after being secured.
I heard people in the stands saying prayers for Dan and for the other drivers who had gotten injured, the mood was very somber. No one seemed to talk except in whispers as they waited for word on the condition of Dan Wheldon.
I observed people on their phones looking up information from news sights, texting madly to people on the outside and as soon as something new was seen or read, they quickly shared the information with those around them.
For me, time just stood still as we waited and I didn't even know what time it was when a driver meeting was called in the media center. People around us shook their heads and said, "That doesn't look good." I think at that point we all knew what was wrong, but no one wanted to say anything. About forty-five minutes later the announcer came on and said that Dan Wheldon had passed away. I saw everyone's face fall in sadness who was around me. I laid my head on my husbands shoulder thinking that someone lost a husband, a father, a friend and everyone lost a great driver. The feeling was heavy as we stood there and watched the screen for more news about what had happened. As a spectator with many others, I can say we all shared in the loss of one of Indy's greats.
The drivers all agreed that the race would stop at that point and in the place of the race the Indy drivers would drive three by three around the track in honor of Dan Wheldon. Every person in the pits lined up along pit row as the drivers drove the laps as the announcer gave a good account of Dan Wheldon's life and success as one of the great Indy Drivers.
I was moved by the whole ceremony and felt honored to be there. I think we all were feeling that way.
I continue to pray for Dan's wife, his two children, his friends and the whole racing community. I think we all can agree that Dan died doing what he loved, but his loss has been felt by everyone he crossed paths with.
By Vickie Treadway
